Early postoperative day 0 chest tube removal using a digital drainage device protocol after thoracoscopic major...

The aim of this study was to assess the safety of early chest tube removal on postoperative day 0 (POD 0) on the basis of a digital drainage device protocol in patients undergoing thoracoscopic major lung resection and its contribution as a component of an enhanced recovery after surgery programme.

One hundred consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy were submitted to the following criteria for chest tube removal: Air flow ≤20 ml/min for at least 4 h without fluid threshold, except if haemorrhagic or chylous. Two groups were defined according to chest tube removal on POD 0 (G0) or POD ≥1 (G1). Primary outcome was pleural complication and secondary outcomes were cardiopulmonary complication, length of drainage, length of stay (LOS), compliance with opioid-free analgesic protocol and readmission. The follow-up was 90 days from discharge.

The chest tube was removed on POD 0 in 45% of patients (G0). None of them required tube reinsertion for pneumothorax and 1 patient was readmitted for a delayed pleural effusion. Among the 55% remaining patients (G1), the median length of drainage was 2 days, including 3 prolonged air leaks (>5 days). G0 and G1 were not different in terms of cardiopulmonary complication and readmission (6.6% vs 9% and 4.4% vs 7.2%, respectively). The median LOS was 1 day in G0 and 2 days in G1. The compliance with opioid-free analgesic protocol was significantly higher (75% vs 45%, P = 0.004) in G0 compared to G1.

Early POD 0 chest tube removal after thoracoscopic major pulmonary resection is safe in selected patients on the basis of a digital drainage device protocol. Also, it may contribute, by reducing early postoperative pain, to enhance postoperative recovery as part of an advanced enhanced recovery after surgery programme.